Ty Fortune, a Southside Jamaica Queens-bred artist, is making waves with his latest release, “Sunkissed,” a track that captures the vibrant energy of summer 2024. Recorded in July of that same year, the song is a product of his meticulous approach to music, combining his deep roots in New York with a current popular sound from his hometown: Sexy Drill. “I wanted to tap into the current popular sound that’s buzzing in my hometown,” Ty explains, pointing to the influence of Sexy Drill. The track’s producer, KADDYX4, a close collaborator and cousin of Ty’s, shared his vision. “I told him I needed some sexy drill beats expeditiously,” Ty recalls, and the result was immediate chemistry. KADDYX4 sent over two beats, and Ty knew instantly which one would form the foundation of “Sunkissed.”

Ty took his time with the creative process, allowing the hook to come to him naturally. “I sat with the instrumental for about two days, kinda hearing the hook being written for me in my mind,” he says. After laying down the initial ideas, Ty and his team worked on perfecting them together, a collaboration that reflects the artist’s unique approach to trendy sounds. He takes pride in his ability to make a sound his own, rather than simply following the crowd. “Whenever I try to dabble in a sound that’s trendy or the current wave, I always try my best to have my rendition of it embody who I am.”

The song is deeply personal for Ty, who highlights one of his favorite bars from “Sunkissed” as a reflection of shared experiences with someone special. “’It’s New Jersey living, But it’s New York City nightlife’… those lines stem from conversations and experiences I shared with a certain woman that’ll always remain close to my heart,” he says. Through these lyrics, he paints a picture of late nights in New York, infused with the energy of the city’s summer scene.

For Ty, the release of “Sunkissed” is more than just a new track—it’s a showcase of his versatility as an artist. He sees it as an opportunity to solidify his place in the music world. “This release to me is going to show the world that Fortune is one of the most versatile artists you’ll ever come across,” he says with confidence. The best part of the process, he admits, was simply having fun with it. “The worst part,” however, “was having to wait on the masters to get sent back.” Once the mix was finalized, Ty knew “Sunkissed” was going to be something special.

The inspiration behind “Sunkissed” lies in Ty’s experiences during the summer of 2024. From fleeting relationships to the fast-paced nightlife of New York City, the song captures a moment in time. “There’s really nothing like summer in NYC,” Ty muses, noting that he aimed to bring those moments to life through the music. Drawing on personal experiences, the song essentially wrote itself, an organic outpouring of Ty’s life and surroundings.

When it comes to production, Ty gives full credit to KADDYX4, emphasizing the synergy between the two artists. “KADDYX4 went and did what he’s known for doing, coming with the Slaps,” Ty says, adding that the duo never steps on each other’s toes creatively. Their relationship is rooted in family, but their professional chemistry stands on its own. “That’s my cousin, but that’s really my brother though. I’d really do whatever for KADDY.”

Looking ahead, Ty has big plans for “Sunkissed” and beyond. A music video is in the works, with Ty confidently predicting, “That song is going to live for 10 summers on, I promise that.” He’s even eyeing a possible endorsement with Sunkist soda, aligning the brand with the bright, feel-good energy of his track. As for the rest of 2024, Ty is preparing to release a playlist-style project before the year ends, expanding his musical footprint even further.

Beyond the music, Ty is also building his brand, Fortune Sounds, an independent record label and multimedia company that he co-founded with Cameronn Pinn. What started as an idea in his basement has grown into a full-fledged operation, complete with in-house video production and marketing. “A lot of doors kept being shut in our face, so it got to the point where we were just like ‘hey, let’s just buy the building,’” Ty says, capturing the DIY ethos that fuels his ambition.

Stream the track above.